The big reveal paves the way for high drama in next week's special 9pm episodes, as Ken has just headed off to spend a few days away with Daniel – lulled into a false sense of security following Adam's wrongful arrest.

Rob Mallard, who plays Daniel, faced media outlets including Digital Spy earlier today for his first big chat about his character's guilt. Be warned though, as his interview does contain some big spoilers for next week that some readers may prefer to avoid.

"Yes, our producer Kate Oates briefed me. I was the only one who knew, which was better. When everyone started asking, it meant that I did have a secret to keep from the rest of the cast."

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So has everyone been asking you?

"I even had it today. I was outside and someone shouted after me: 'Did you do it?' My nan has been asking too!"

How on earth is your nan going to feel now?!

"She'll probably go easy around me at the top of the stairs! (Laughs.) I think she'll just be really pleased that I've come in with such a good storyline."

Can you tell us how you reacted when you first found out this was coming up?

"I said to Kate: 'Do I have to get my CV out again?' I was worried. I thought: 'Who have I pissed off? What have I said here? What have I done?!' (Laughs.) But I was really glad because Kate explained how it all ends with the family keeping Daniel's guilt a secret.

"I thought that had a lot more opportunities in it than if it had just been Adam as the culprit. There's a lot more opportunity for the storylines to go forward from that."

There are some really intense scenes next week showing Daniel suffering a breakdown while he's away with Ken. How were they to film?

"It was tiring, because we spent about a week filming in that flat. I was joking that I spend all day crying in the bathroom and then I go to work! (Laughs.)

"It was long and it was tiring, but it was a lot of fun. Mike Lacey directed those scenes. It was a lot of fun and we were on location having a really good time."

An exclusive flashback scene has also been released online showing Daniel standing over Ken after the attack. How did you feel when you saw that script?

"I hoped that it wasn't sinister, because it wasn't premeditated so it needed to be a row that just got out of control. This whole storyline, from Daniel's perspective, is an end of boyhood type thing.

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"At one point, Ken tells Daniel that now he's a man he needs to start acting like it, because he's often been so petulant, moody and sulky."

How do you think fans will react to Daniel's guilt?

"I think it came across very well in the script, so I could understand why Daniel has done this. He wasn't trying to kill Ken off, it was just an argument. But the reaction will depend on whether people just think Daniel is weird or not!"

People won't see the full explanation for what Daniel did until next week, which may affect things slightly!

"I'll stay in this weekend, then!"

There are also some dark scenes next week showing Daniel self-harming while he's away with Ken. Did you get any advice or support on exploring that?

"I spoke with someone I know who did used to hurt themselves and found out what their reasoning behind it was. I watched and read a few things too, and it's always about an element of control. You can't control anything else, but you can control this thing that you're doing to yourself."

Would you like Daniel to keep his dark side?

"I don't know really, he's definitely troubled. Most of his behaviours come out of those flaws – you can always rely on decent situations occurring when you have those kinds of flaws. There's a lot of scope for story. I want to see the end of the boyhood with Daniel – that's what everything coming up to this point has been about, I think."

When the Barlows try to keep Daniel's guilt quiet, how will that affect his mental health?

"It puts him at a weaker position. When he first came into the show, he was peripheral, he was hanging on the edge of the scenes working out the hierarchy – who had the most power in the room and who was the weakest.

"Now he's aware of the fact that he is completely disempowered. He's going to have to work his way through them all. He came in and worked his way up to golden child, and through his own actions, he's at the bottom of the pile.

"One by one, he will have to work through them all and try and redeem himself, but I don't know that they'll actually forgive him – I don't think I would necessarily be able to!"

Chesney is one of the characters who finds out the truth next week. Could he be in danger?

"I think Daniel has scared himself so much by doing what he didn't think he was capable of, that he's not likely to lash out like that again. He'd be too afraid to ever get that angry again!"